Aubrey's Rise of the Runelords campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Aubrey the Malformed

Ah, and get Vatts to make the DC 35 Will save for sure ... though now you mention it Fate, as its a will save it might have been better to scry on Hudak.

Lady Canayvan nods. "Of course, I appreciate your concern. I will send one of my associates, Almya Gorangel. She has a specialist interest in Thassilonian artefacts." She provides a brief description of Gorangel - a dark-haired Chelish wizard with a toad familiar - and a password - "Absalom" - which she will use to identify herself.

"Is there anything else?"

"But I'm rambling. I understand you are bound for Sandpoint. I would be extremely honoured to have you as my guests and travelling companions for this final stretch. It is only a day or so, but I would be delighted to hear tales of your adventures."

“I am curious to know more of the Pathfinder organisation,” says Elisile, when Canayvan asks if there is anything else. “I have heard that you are explorers, adventurers and historians, but know little more. How does one join your group – if membership is indeed open? We have encountered several sites of apparent Thassilonian vintage in our travels. My thought is that our discoveries – if indeed any of them are unique discoveries – may be of interest to your organisation, and your group’s knowledge may in turn assist our endeavours.”

"But let us not dwell on sad things. We have only just met! Sadly I do not have time to swap stories right now - the caravan is getting ready to move off and I need to supervise. But this evening we should reach Sandpoint and we can all be reunited with Ameiko. Ameiko tells the stories of our adventures much better than I do. In the meantime, I'd be honoured if you would travel with us. I'm afraid that today I can offer little more than a lift on the back of a wagon, but it should be better than wearing out your boots!"

"The rules of the Pathfinders are quite simple: there are three duties for every Pathfinder. The first is to explore, to further the knowledge of the Society. The second is to report, so that your explorations are captured for posterity and the furtherance of knowledge. The third is to cooperate. The membership of the Pathfinders is diverse and contains many nationalities, often those hostile to one another. But membership of the Society transcends all national affiliations. Pathfinder must respect each other, lend assistance where it is needed and must not attempt to frustrate or battle one another.

"However, your activities would certainly warrant consideration for membership, so I would encourage you to document your findings and submit them for consideration."

“Thankyou Lady Canayvan, it is something we will consider.”

If that’s it we’ll head back to the inn and appraise Vethran of the situation. We’ll make sure either Elisile or Illes is down in the common room at any given time keeping an eye out for Gorangel.

Perception 12+13=25, Sense Motive 13+17=30 and Diplomacy 9+14=23. In particular I'm looking for people with gang tattoos or similar markings, in addition to just gauging the mood in the caravan. I try not to stray too far from Hudak, just in case.

OK - you get back. Anything you want to discuss while waiting for Gorangel?

After half-an-hour, the caravan sets off on the final leg to Sandpoint.

Doing anything specifically?

Back at the inn they’ll give Veth the goss and keep an eye out for Gorangel.

Elisile can give Vethran a break from guarding the polearm and let him head downstairs for an afternoon meal while she hangs out in the rooms, if he wants.

Pointed in the right direction by the innkeeper, she shuffles in the direction of where the adventurers are resting in the common room. She regards them suspiciously from deepset, dark eyes and mutters in a hoarse voice, "You go to the Canayvan mansion this morning? Lady Canayvan sent me. I'm here about the matter from Absalom."

Vassos and Sandru Vhiski seem busy most of the day, and have little time to chat. However, Alwyn and Hudak begin to recognise landmarks - the road to Foxglove Manor, the Brinestump Marsh or the heights of the Devil's Platter in the distance. As the sun begins to dip down in the distance beyond the ocean, the caravan breasts a rise. Beyond lies a familar sight.

Sandru rides up, looking down at the town. "Back in Sandpoint again. You know, no matter how far I travel, I always find myself wanting to come back. Of course, once I've been here a few days, I always want to leave again."

"Hurngh," grunts the old man.

The caravan reaches the gates, where the night guard are just starting their shift. One of the watchmen walks up, tripping over his scabbard before straightening himself up with as much dignity as he can muster. "Halt in the name of the Mayor of Sandpoint!" he calls out to the lead wagons.

"Gint, get over yourself, it's us!" shouts out Vassos.

"That's Deputy Gint to you, Vassos! There are still proprieties to be observed," replies Gint, affronted. "Name!"

"Gint, you just said my name. I went out with your sister for four years. You know who we are. Open the gates and stop mucking about! And we bring the heroes of Sandpoint, no less!"

After negotiating entry into town, the caravan heads for the main square to pitch up and prepare for some serious trading the next day. But instead of helping there, Sandru finds the adventurers and together they set off for the Rusty Dragon. The taproom is warm and friendly, with the crowd there just coming in for the evening. Hudak and Alwyn are immediately recognised and plied with drinks - is it really just half a year since they were last here? (In game time, would you believe, yes it is.)

Vhiski is also clearly a welcome visitor and soon is amiably chatting with the locals. Then he catches sight of someone, gives a roar of delight, and clasps her to him in a bear hug. Ameiko extricates herself, laughing and pushing him playfully away. "And look who we met on the road!" he shouts over the hubbub.

Ameiko turns to see. She blinks and catches herself for a moment, a look of shock and delight on her face, and she blushes prettily. "Hello, Hudak," she breathes.

"Alwyn, how lovely to see you!" She gives him a brief hug. She looks about. "Where are the others? Are they alright?"

Assuming he doesn’t notice anything suspect about the woman, he invites her upstairs to where the polearm is kept – the entire group comes along, but Elisile lingers in the common room for a few moments, keeping any eye out for anyone who might be watching the group or making any moves to follow upstairs or leaves suddenly at the same moment: Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

Vhiski also looks confused. "I thought you said his name was Bilbrodo. What's with the sudden name change?"

The woman nods curtly at Elisile and then moves over straight to the item she came to see. She carefully unwraps the polearm, noting its material composition and the inscriptions upon it. She gingerly touches it, and pulls back her hand with a yelp of pain as the fork's enchantment burns her. She sucks her wounded fingers for a moment, then mutters a few arcane words and runs her hands up and down its length without touching it for several minutes, concentrating intently with half-closed eyes. Finally, she crawls up and down the floor beside it, peering at it closely at it with her face almost touching it, before straightening up.

"Where did you find it?" she asks bluntly.

Sense Motive (versatile oratory) to determine if she is trying to hustle us: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

I think it was on Vethran’s assessment that we decided this was a Thassilonian artefact. I’m sure Veth would at this point step in to defend his assessment. He begins pointing out the stylistic nuances that led him to his conclusion.

Edit: having looked back, Elisile actually got the spoiler about the ransuer’s vintage. Aubrey said that the runes on it date from the time of Thassilon – I made the mental leap that this meant it was Thassilonian. Maybe not though ... Elisile points out the Thassilonian runes, and notes that the size of the weapon indicates that it was made for one of the giants known to be slave-warriors in Thassilon’s armies.

Elisile makes another knowledge, history check – 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30 to make sure she is on the right track.

"Not all Varisians are vagabonds, as you say. I am Vethran Tallomane, a wizard," he emphasizes the point so as to distinguish himself from the typically sorcerous archetype of Varisian spellcasters "most recently from Sandpoint. I assure you that this artifact is of Thassilonian origin and design."

The mage then launches into an excruciatingly detailed analysis of the item, going above and beyond a mere appraisal and into pure academic overload as he defends the item's authenticity in a way that only a wizard could.

Kn (History): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (20) + 18 = 38 to point out the historical elements of it's artistic stylings and relevance in the greater scheme of Thassilonian history.
Kn (Arcana): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35 to describe the enchantments layered upon it.
Kn (Engineering): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25 to codify it's construction and composition in exacting detail.
Linguistics: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34 to identify the inscriptions and even the exact dialect in which they were made during the time of construction.

Finally, she snaps. "Very well, but I am not convinced. I will report back that I consider the item to be a fake. Good day!" With that, she stalks out without a further word.

She looks thoughtful. “It is likely now that the Pathfinders will offer us a price based only on the weapon’s magic and material properties, though we might consider that this is only an opening move in a negotiation. Even so, the smart thing to do is to seek further options. I have supposed an organisation would be best placed to afford the price we hope to ask for this. The Golemworks may have the capital, but they too will likely be interested only for the weapon’s material and magical properties – probably as raw material. Amongst the Stone of Seers we may find scholars interested in both historical and magical aspects of the ransuer, but we are likely to be dealing with individuals within the organisation, rather than the school as an entity. What do you think?”

Ameiko gives Camlo a long cool look and then responds to Hudak with more warmth. "You know you are always welcome to stay here. Or would you prefer the Hagfish?" she asks teasingly.